Muslim bangle seller thrashed publicly in Indore, case filed against unidentified men

A Muslim bangle-seller was mercilessly beaten and robbed of Rs. 10,000 after his business was vandalised in Indore on Sunday.

The police registered a case against a group of men late last night after “hundreds of people gathered outside the police station demanding action against the accused”, NDTV reported.

The video of the incident that went viral on social media on Sunday, showed that religious slurs were hurled at the victim, Tasleem (25), who was beaten up in a crowded street in Banganga.

The video also showed one of the attackers shouting, "Take whatever you want. He should not be seen in this area anymore," as he took out bangles from Tasleem’s bag. The man also asked the crowd to thrash him, and 3-4 men came forward to beat Tasleem. No one from the public, however, came forward to help the victim.

"The accused first asked my name and started beating me once I revealed it. They also robbed the ₹ 10,000 that I was carrying and vandalised bangles and other material that I had," Tasleem told the police in his complaint.

The police have filed a case of rioting, assault, robbery, intimidation and trying to disturb communal harmony against unidentified men. Indore police has also asked people not to share the video on social media.

"We have registered a case as per the complainant and are investigating but we would like to urge people not to react to social media posts that are communal nature. We are also keeping a watch on such social media posts. The accused are being identified through the video. Stringent action will be taken against them," Ashutosh Bagri, a senior police officer in Indore East police station, said.

Home Minister Narottam Mishra, when asked about the incident, said, "It has been found that the victim used to sell bangles using a Hindu name. He had two Aadhaar cards under different names. They have been recovered".